Baeza, Discover All The Secrets Of This Beautiful City
The city of Jaén rises on a promontory, which makes it possible to see a beautiful landscape of olive groves from it. It has been declared a historical-artistic complex, with Baeza having an incredible Renaissance legacy. All this makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We are talking about a town from the Andalusian Renaissance and on the Nasrid Route.
Due to its strategic location, Baeza had great importance in the Middle Ages. It is because it is located between Castile and Andalusia, therefore, between the Christian kingdoms and the Muslim power. Without a doubt, an area of great border battles. We begin our tour of Baeza. We recommend monuments that you must visit in the squares and streets of a city full of attractions.
First steps in Baeza
The visit begins at the entrance from Jaén. First of all, the stop is the Plaza del Pópulo. Here we will find the tourist office, highlighting the fountain of the lions and one of the old city gates.
This place keeps a secret that you may not know. But before unveiling it, we list the attractions of this square:
- Fountain of the Lions : it is an archaeological monument that comes from the Roman city of Cástulo. It is crowned by the statue of the Iberian princess who was Hannibal’s first wife, and who was called Himilce.
- La Antigua Carnicería : it is the current seat of the Courts.
- The Civil Court and Public Notaries (current Baeza Tourism Office).
- Arco de Villalar : it is one of the old doors of Baeza. Next to it is the secret we mentioned, a chapel in which the army prayed before going to war.
Touring Baeza
We continue the tour of this square and its Paseo de la Constitución, with a park surrounded by arcades and town hall houses. Quite close, if we turn left, on the street that is just behind the park, we can see the City Hall and the old courts. It is a building that is possible to visit and that is worth seeing for the great amount of details that it treasures.
During the visit you can go back to the promenade park, and in some nearby streets we have more attractions :
Jabalquinto Palace
A building dating from the 15th century and one of the greatest exponents of the Elizabethan Gothic style, which we can clearly see on the façade. It is currently the headquarters of the International University of Andalusia.
Its façade has a decoration full of diamond points, shields, ribbons and a Mudejar influence that is noticeable. Inside we can find Baroque and Renaissance style decoration.
Church of the Holy Cross
It is located in front of the Jabalquinto Palace. Here you will come across a Romanesque temple that is very well preserved. In fact, it is a rarity throughout this area of Spain.
Santa Maria Square
It is another highlight in the city. Here you can also admire wonderful constructions :
- Fuente de Santa María : it is one of the landmark places in the historic center of Baeza. Resting next to it will give you a truly spectacular view of a square of enormous beauty.
- San Felipe Neri Seminary : behind the fountain. It can be visited.
- Cathedral of the Nativity : it is one of the jewels of the Renaissance. It is built on what was the old mosque and that began to be built on pillars in the Gothic style.
The end of the visit
If we continue our visit around the cathedral through its narrow streets, we will end up in the walls, which will transport you to another era. Something curious about these streets is that they are not from the original period, they were built later to recreate what the original environment should have been.
After this, we go to Calle San Pablo, which is one of the busiest in the city. Here you can visit the church of the same name.
All these are the most outstanding monuments. But Baeza is much more, since it is a city with a great atmosphere. Here you can enjoy the exquisite gastronomy of the area. Not to be missed!
